JP3589339B2 - Digital breeding machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a digital printing machine, and more particularly, to a digital printing machine that performs digital registration and exposure adjustment in a printing plate / printing process using digital data output from a plate making process. About the machine.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As is well known, the planning process, the plate making process, and the printing plate / printing process are performed until the contents of the plan received from the client are completed as a printed matter (see FIG. 15). In the design process, we design according to the plan contents and create the composition. In the plate making process, based on the composition, a pattern, a line drawing, and a character string are arranged to create a laid-out film. In the printing plate / printing process, a necessary printing plate process is performed based on the film to create a printing plate, and then the printed material is completed by printing.
[0003]
Of these processes, the data processing from the design process to the plate making process has shifted from analog processing to digital processing by DTP (Desk Top Publishing) due to the recent spread of computer technology and various plate making processing software, and the work of the work has been carried out. Streamlining is being pursued. By this rationalization, in the design process, design and editing can be performed on data digitized by the DTP process, and digital artwork data can be output. Then, in the plate making process, based on the digital underlay data, after arranging a picture, a line drawing, and a character string, necessary digital operation processing such as plate making (Trap processing) and RIP (Raster Image Processing) is executed. To obtain digital page data, and output a film and color proof of a predetermined size.
[0004]
On the other hand, in the printing plate / printing process, the following process is performed in an analog manner upon receiving a film output from the plate making process.
First, an intaglio process such as bonding of films received from the plate making process (matching different types of films so as to constitute one printing plate) is performed. Next, after the laminated film and the unexposed printing plate are overlaid, an exposure process is performed to print a picture, a line drawing, and the like on the printing plate. Then, the printing plate after the exposure processing is set on a printing press and printing is performed on printing paper.
[0005]
The printed matter is completed through the operations described above. However, in reality, ink density of data (images, characters, tint, etc.) on a printing plate to be printed, weather conditions (temperature, humidity, etc.), aging of a printing paper transport mechanism of a printing press, or printing paper When the position of each plate (Y, M, C, K and special color) of printed matter is slightly shifted or the color (ink) partially interferes due to factors such as the quality (stretch etc.) There is. Further, there may be a case where a change in the overall balance of the color tone of the printed matter, a request from the client, or a plate making error occurs. Due to these reasons, it is not uncommon for the print position to be redone by re-adjusting the data position and color tone on the printing plate until the final printed matter is completed.
[0006]
Fine adjustment of the position of data on the printing plate in the reworking operation of the printing plate processing is referred to as registration adjustment, and is performed by re-attaching the film. On the other hand, the fine adjustment of the color tone of the data on the printing plate is called the adjustment of exposure, and when printing on the printing plate again, the page data area or the part (such as the picture and character in the page) area in the film. Is performed by applying a mask and partially changing the exposure time.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The above-mentioned adjustment of the register adjustment and the exposure adjustment are all performed manually on the film, and the skilled worker is required to have skill and experience. However, no matter how much skill and experience the worker has, it is inevitable that an adjustment error will occur as long as the work is artificial. Therefore, the adjustment of the register and the exposure may be repeated many times until the final printing plate is completed, which causes a problem that much time is required.
For this reason, from the viewpoint of work efficiency, it has been desired to improve the printing accuracy and to save labor for the adjustment of the register and the exposure in the related art.
[0008]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a digital printing machine capable of digitally adjusting a register and an exposure in a printing and printing process by using a file output of digital data instead of a film output. That is.
[0009]
Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention
A first invention is a digital printing machine that digitally performs a printing process in a printing plate / printing process using a post-computation file passed from a plate making process,
The post-calculation file is
A RIP file created by performing RIP processing on page data created corresponding to each of one or more predetermined pages, and having at least halftone dot density data corresponding to each pixel in the page;
With respect to all or a part of the RIP file, the layout information includes at least page origin data serving as a basis for arranging each data in the RIP file. Means for adjusting the amount of registration in units of RIP files by determining relative to the position;
Means for adjusting exposure adjustment in units of the RIP file by converting the density of each halftone dot of the RIP file using the correction table.
[0010]
As described above, according to the first aspect of the invention, the post-computation file, which is digital data including the RIP file and the arrangement information, is used as the intermediate medium received by the printing machine, instead of the conventional film. Therefore, it is possible to adjust registration and adjustment of exposure in the printing plate and printing process on digital data, and the operator can make fine adjustments of the adjustment by numerical input or instructions without relying on skilled skills and experience. And can be done quickly. As a result, it is possible to save labor in the printing plate / printing process and to improve the printing accuracy.
[0011]
A second invention is a digital printing machine that digitally performs a printing process in a printing / printing process using a page description language file passed from a plate making process,
The page description language file is
Page description language data created by a page description language corresponding to each of one or more predetermined pages, and having at least halftone dot density data corresponding to each pixel in the page;
Regarding all or a part of the page description language data, including placement information having at least page origin data as a placement reference of each data in the page description language data,
Means for adjusting the registration in the page description language data unit by deciding the arrangement of the page origin of the arrangement information relative to the position of the origin serving as the reference of the finished frame;
Means for converting the density of each halftone dot of the page description language data by using a correction table to adjust exposure adjustment in units of the page description language data.
[0012]
As described above, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the intermediate medium received by the printing machine uses a page description language file, which is digital data including page description language data and arrangement information, instead of a conventional film. I have. Therefore, it is possible to adjust registration and adjustment of exposure in the printing plate and printing process on digital data, and the operator can make fine adjustments of the adjustment by numerical input or instructions without relying on skilled skills and experience. And can be done quickly. As a result, it is possible to save labor in the printing plate / printing process and to improve the printing accuracy.
[0013]
In a third aspect based on the second aspect, the page description language data further includes vector data representing a component configured in the page description language data,
The means for adjusting the exposure is adjusted by specifying an arbitrary part using vector data when converting the density of each halftone dot of the page description language data using the correction table. It is characterized in that the adjustment of exposure can be adjusted for each component.
[0014]
As described above, according to the third aspect, the page description language data in the second aspect further includes vector data for each component configured in the page description language data. Thus, when adjusting the exposure adjustment, the vector data is also specified when the density is converted by the correction table, so that the exposure is performed not only in the unit of the entire page description language data but also in the unit of the components existing therein. Adjustment can be made.
[0015]
A fourth invention is a digital printing machine for digitally performing a printing process in a printing / printing process using a post-computation file or a page description language file passed from a plate making process,
The post-calculation file is
A RIP file created by performing RIP processing on page data created corresponding to each of one or more predetermined pages, and having at least halftone dot density data corresponding to each pixel in the page;
With respect to all or a part of the RIP file, placement information having at least page origin data as a placement reference of each data in the RIP file,
The page description language file is
Page description language data created by a page description language corresponding to each of one or more predetermined pages, and having at least halftone dot density data corresponding to each pixel in the page;
Regarding all or a part of the page description language data, including placement information having at least page origin data as a placement reference of each data in the page description language data,
A selection unit for inputting both the file after the calculation and the page description language file, selecting and outputting one of the two files,
By determining the layout of the page origin of the layout information in the file selected by the selection unit relative to the position of the origin serving as the reference of the finished frame, the RIP file or the page description language data unit is used. Means for adjusting the register,
Means for converting the density of each halftone dot of the RIP file or the page description language data using the correction table to adjust exposure adjustment in units of the RIP file or the page description language data.
[0016]
As described above, according to the fourth aspect, the intermediate medium received by the intaglio machine is not a film as in the related art, but a post-operation file which is digital data including a RIP file and arrangement information, or page description language data. And a page description language file, which is digital data composed of data and layout information. Therefore, it is possible to adjust registration and adjustment of exposure in the printing plate and printing process on digital data, and the operator can make fine adjustments of the adjustment by numerical input or instructions without relying on skilled skills and experience. And can be done quickly. As a result, it is possible to save labor in the printing plate / printing process and to improve the printing accuracy.
[0017]
In a fifth aspect based on the fourth aspect, the page description language data further includes vector data representing a component configured in the page description language data,
When the page description language file is selected in the selection unit, the means for adjusting the exposure is adjusted by using vector data when converting the density of each halftone dot of the page description language data using the correction table. Is designated, it is possible to adjust the exposure adjustment for each component in the page description language data.
[0018]
As described above, according to the fifth aspect, in the fourth aspect, when a page description language file is selected by the selection unit, by specifying vector data for each component included in the page description language data, The adjustment of exposure can be adjusted not only for the page description language data unit but also for each component configured in the page description language data.
[0019]
A sixth invention is a recording medium recording a program executed in a computer device,
RIP processing is performed on page data created corresponding to each of one or more predetermined pages, and a RIP file having at least halftone dot density data corresponding to each pixel in the page; With respect to all or a part of the RIP file, a post-calculation file including location information having at least page origin data serving as a location reference of each data in the RIP file:
Adjusting the registration in RIP file units by deciding the position of the page origin of the arrangement information relative to the position of the origin serving as the reference of the finished frame;
Converting the density of each halftone dot of the RIP file using the correction table to adjust the exposure adjustment in units of the RIP file. ing.
[0020]
A seventh invention is a recording medium recording a program to be executed in a computer device,
Page description language data created by a page description language corresponding to each of one or more predetermined pages, and having at least halftone dot density data corresponding to each pixel in the page; For all or a part of the page description language file, the page description language file including at least placement information having page origin data serving as a placement reference of each data in the page description language data,
A step of adjusting the register in the page description language data unit by determining the arrangement of the page origin of the arrangement information relative to the position of the origin serving as a reference of the finished frame;
Converting the density of each halftone dot of the page description language data using the correction table, thereby adjusting the exposure level in units of the page description language data. The program is being recorded.
[0021]
In an eighth aspect based on the seventh aspect, the page description language data further includes vector data representing a component configured in the page description language data,
The step of adjusting the exposure is adjusted by specifying an arbitrary part using vector data when converting the density of each halftone dot of the page description language data using the correction table. It is characterized in that the adjustment of exposure can be adjusted for each component.
[0022]
As described above, the sixth to eighth inventions are recording media on which are recorded the programs for executing the functions of the digital printing machine of the first to third inventions, respectively. This corresponds to supplying the functions executed by the digital intaglio machines of the first to third inventions to other intaglio machines in the form of software. Therefore, the effects of the sixth to eighth inventions are the same as the effects of the first to third inventions.
[0023]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a processing system using a digital printing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a processing system using a digital printing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a design process, a plate making process, and a plate / printing process.
[0024]
In the design process, the request of the client that is the orderer is planned. Then, processing is performed by DTP in order to convert the planned contents into composition data. In the plate making process, after receiving the composition data from the design process, arranging pictures, line drawings, and character strings, the page data created through plate making (data for each page created in the page description language) is processed. A predetermined RIP calculation process is performed, and a post-calculation file 201 is output. Here, the predetermined RIP calculation process refers to a RIP calculation process in which only the shading process is not performed. The post-calculation file 201 can be correlated when the calibration output for the client and the post-calculation file 201 are edited as a final product and output. The post-calculation file 201 is sent to the printing plate / printing step together with a plurality of page data (hereinafter, a group of a plurality of page data is referred to as a page description language file 501). In the printing plate / printing process, one of the post-computation file 201 and the page description language file 501 is selected according to the purpose of the process, and the printing plate is output by performing the printing process. The contents performed in the printing process can be sequentially confirmed on the display device, and the process can be instructed. Further, the post-computation file 201 or the page description language file 501 that has been subjected to the printing process is stored as needed. The duplication processing portion including the selection of the post-calculation file 201 or the page description language file 501 is performed by the digital duplication machine according to the present invention described later.
[0025]
First, before describing the digital printing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, the data structures of the post-operation file 201 and the page description language file 501 used in the digital printing machine will be described.
[0026]
FIG. 2 shows an example of the data structure of the post-computation file 201. FIG. 2 shows a group of post-computation files corresponding to a case where the printed material is folded in 16 pages. In FIG. 2, the post-computation file 201 used in the digital printing machine according to the embodiment of the present invention is composed of two types of data. One is data (hereinafter, referred to as a RIP file) 202 that has undergone RIP processing, and the other is arrangement information 203 relating to the data.
[0027]
The RIP file 202 refers to a file of digital data output in a raster format by performing digital operation on page data created in a page description language. In this digital arithmetic processing, in order to enable dot gain adjustment in the subsequent printing plate / printing process, output is performed in a raster format without performing shading processing (processing for converting gradations into large and small halftone dots). are doing. The RIP file 202 is created for each page as shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 shows an example of a data list configured in the RIP file 202. In FIG. 3, first, the page number of the RIP file 202 is described in the data list. Data such as a number, a coordinate value (a value corresponding to the origin coordinate of the arrangement information 203), a halftone density (an exposure density when halftone dots are generated), and the like are described corresponding to each pixel. . Actually, for each page number, each plate, that is, a Y (yellow) plate, an M (magenta) plate, a C (cyan) plate, a K (black) plate, and a special color (Y, M A data list is constructed for each of the plates (of colors other than C, K, K).
[0028]
The arrangement information 203 is data relating to the arrangement (on the printing plate) of a plurality of pages included in the post-operation file 201, that is, the RIP file 202, which exists for each post-operation file 201. The number of pages can be arbitrarily determined according to the equipment and work contents used by the company or the like responsible for the plate making process. FIG. 2 shows an example in which four pages are used as one post-operation file 201. In this case, each arrangement information 203 has data on the arrangement of four pages.
FIG. 4 shows an example of the data list configured in the arrangement information 203. In FIG. 4, first, a page number is described in the data list. The page number in the arrangement information 203 corresponds to the page number in the RIP file 202. Then, the coordinate value of the origin of the RIP file 202 indicated by the page number and the data area of the RIP file 202 are described as diagonal coordinate values (in FIG. 4, shown as the amount of change from the origin coordinates). . Further, data such as a page surface indicating whether the page is a front side or a back side, and rotation indicating a page direction are described. Note that a data list is also configured for each of the versions (Y, M, C, K, and special colors) for the arrangement information 203.
[0029]
On the other hand, FIG. 5 shows an example of the data structure of the page description language file 501. The page description language file 501 in FIG. 5 has basically the same structure as the post-computation file 201 in FIG. 2, and is composed of two types of data. One is page description language data 502 and the other is arrangement information 503 relating to the data.
[0030]
The page description language data 502 refers to a file of digital page data created in the page description language (that is, a file before the RIP operation processing). As shown in FIG. 5, this page description language data 502 is created for each page, similarly to the RIP file 202.
FIG. 6 shows an example of a data list configured in the page description language data 502. 6, first, the page number of the page description language data 502 is described in the data list. Each data is composed of a unit called “job”. The job is a constituent unit of work (data), and for example, a pattern / figure (part), a partial area, and the like can be collected as one job. Therefore, data such as pixel numbers, coordinate values (values corresponding to the origin coordinates of the arrangement information 503), tone density, and the like, which constitute the job, are described for each job. Actually, in the page description language data 502, similarly to the case of the RIP file 202, a data list is formed for each version (Y, M, C, K and special color) for one page number. Is done.
[0031]
The layout information 503 exists for each page description language file 501, and is data on a plurality of pages included in the page description language file 501, that is, the layout (on the printing plate) of the page description language data 502. The arrangement information 503 in the page description language file 501 has the same configuration as the above-described arrangement information 203 in the post-computation file 201 (see FIG. 4), and a description thereof will be omitted. As the page description language, “Post Script (registered trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated)” or the like can be used.
[0032]
Next, referring to FIG. 7, a description will be given of a digital printing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, which digitally adjusts registration and exposure using the post-computation file 201 or the page description language file 501. I do. In the following description, in order to facilitate understanding of the flow of the process, in addition to the adjustment process of the register adjustment and the exposure adjustment, which are the main features of the present invention, processes that can be performed by the digital printing machine are also described in parallel at any time. are doing.
[0033]
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the digital printing machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 7, the digital printing machine 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a selection unit 17, a compression / decompression unit 11, an imposition unit 12, a large attaching unit 13, an accessory processing unit 14, a control unit. 15 and a dot generation unit 16.
[0034]
The digital duplicator 1 is connected to a terminal 21. The operator instructs, from the terminal 21, the contents of processing relating to the intaglio, such as adjustment of registration and exposure adjustment performed by the digital intaglio machine 1, and confirms on the display screen of the terminal 21. The digital printing machine 1 is connected to a printing machine 31 via the control unit 15. Thereby, the terminal 21 can know the information of the printing press 31. Further, the digital duplicator 1 is connected to an external storage device 41, and records and reads out files or data as needed.
[0035]
The selection unit 17 selects and outputs one of the post-computation file 201 and the page description language file 501 for the purpose of the printing process (hereinafter, referred to as a selected file). When the selected file received from the selection unit 17 is compressed, the compression / decompression unit 11 decompresses the selected file and returns the file to the original size. This compression may be performed when the number of selected files is too large in the plate making process, and the compression / decompression unit 11 is adapted to this. The imposition unit 12 performs imposition / assembly for each page, adjusts the amount of registration and adjusts the amount of exposure based on the selected file, and creates imposition data. Note that information about the printing press 31 necessary for creating the imposition data is transmitted to the terminal 21 via the control unit 15 as described above. The large pasting unit 13 positions the plurality of imposition data created by the imposition unit 12 so as to be optimally arranged on the printing plate. The positioning performed by the large bonding portion 13 can be performed while confirming the position on the display screen of the terminal 21. The accessory unit 14 reads externally necessary accessories (color patches, offset rotary press marks, etc.) and registration marks (marks used as indicators for quality control, print format, etc.) required for different printing depending on the type of the printing press 31, Then, positioning is performed so that the accessories and the like are arranged at required positions on the printing plate. The halftone generation unit 17 receives the selected file after the above-described various types of data processing, and converts the selected file into halftone data obtained by combining a plurality of pages instead of one page. Here, the dot generation unit 17 receives a dot gain adjustment suitable for the printing press 31 according to an instruction from the control unit 15. Then, a printing plate is finally created from the halftone data generated by the halftone generation unit 17. The control unit 15 performs management of the printing press 31 to be output, error processing, management of a printing plate to be output, creation of ink control data, and the like.
[0036]
Next, the contents of the processing performed by the digital printing machine 1 including the adjustment of the register adjustment and the exposure adjustment performed by the imposition unit 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, 6, and 8. . FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flow in a printing plate / printing process in which the digital printing plate 1 is located.
[0037]
Referring to FIG. 8, in the printing plate / printing process in which the post-computation file 201 and the page description language file 501 are received from the plate making process by communication through a storage medium such as a recording medium or a network, both of them are performed for the purpose of the printing process. One of the files is selected (step S801). The purpose of the printing plate processing here is, specifically, whether or not the exposure adjustment is partially adjusted in the exposure adjustment described below. The selected file selected in step S801 is subjected to compression / decompression processing as needed (step S802). After the compression and decompression processing, an information list is created based on each data in the selected file (step S803). The information list is for displaying each setting state as a video on the display screen of the terminal 21 operated by the operator, and is created by extracting necessary data from the selected file.
[0038]
Next, attachment, imposition, and large attachment (hereinafter, abbreviated as attachment, etc.) are performed. Here, a template (various set values at the time of performing the printing process before, as an example of the set values, is used. It is determined whether to use the stored data) (step S804). If an existing template is to be used, the contents are read from the recording device in which the template is stored and used as set values (step S805). Here, it is also possible to perform the joint editing on the template. If not used, each set value is newly calculated and editing such as garnishing is performed (step S806). Then, accessories and registration marks necessary for printing are arranged (step S807).
[0039]
When the processes such as garnishing and accessories have been completed, it is first determined whether or not to adjust the register (step S808). Here, when adjusting the register adjustment, the operator issues an instruction regarding register adjustment from the terminal 21 (step S809). Then, after the instruction in step S809, or when the adjustment of the register adjustment is not performed, it is determined whether or not the adjustment of the exposure is subsequently performed (step S810). When adjusting the exposure, the operator issues an instruction regarding the exposure from the terminal 21 (step S811).
[0040]
Here, the adjustment of the register adjustment and the exposure adjustment and the instruction thereof will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG.
First, as shown in FIG. 9A, the adjustment of the register adjustment is to adjust the position of the page data (corresponding to the RIP file 202 or the page description language data 502) 910 on the printing paper 900 at the time of finishing. is there. These adjustments are performed by changing the relative value from the origin coordinates (the lower left corner of the printing paper 900 in FIG. 9) 901 of the finished frame to the origin coordinates 911 of the page data 910 for adjusting the registration. The operator may give an instruction of the origin coordinates 911 when adjusting the register. Specifically, the value of the origin coordinates (x, y) in the arrangement information 203 shown in FIG. 4 is rewritten. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 9A, the position of the entire page data 910 moves to the position of the page data 910a.
[0041]
Next, the exposure adjustment is to adjust the color tone of the pixel of the page data. Here, the unit (range) in which the exposure can be adjusted depending on whether the file used for adjustment is the post-calculation file 201 or the page description language file 501 is limited.
[0042]
In the case of the post-computation file 201, as shown in FIG. 9B, the density can be adjusted only in units of page data. This is because the RIP file 202 is configured as continuous data rasterized for each page. In FIG. 9B, the designation of the exposure adjustment area indicates two coordinates of an origin coordinate 911 of the page data 910 and a diagonal coordinate 912 of the page data 910 and is surrounded by the coordinates of the two points. This is done by giving a rectangular area. Therefore, when adjusting the exposure adjustment, the operator may indicate the origin coordinates 911 and the diagonal coordinates 912. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the origin coordinate 911 and the diagonal coordinate 92 are stored as a pair in the arrangement information 203, that is, the corresponding page number is indicated. As a result, the density can be adjusted in units of page data (page data 910b in FIG. 9B).
[0043]
On the other hand, in the case of the page description language file 501, in addition to the above-described adjustment in units of page data, it is possible to perform partial exposure adjustment in which adjustment is performed in units of certain parts (parts such as pictures) in the page data. This is because the page description language data 502 is described in units of “jobs”, ie, a set of a plurality of vector data for each component (see FIGS. 6 and 11). Therefore, for example, it is possible to perform density correction by specifying a closed loop area formed by vector data such as only inside a heart mark pattern in the page data 920 in FIG. 9C. Therefore, when adjusting the partial exposure adjustment of the heart mark pattern, the operator may indicate a closed loop formed by the vector data forming the heart mark pattern. Specifically, this is done by designating the job unit shown in FIG. As a result, density correction can be performed on a component basis (page data 920a in FIG. 9C).
[0044]
When an area to be adjusted for exposure adjustment is designated by the above-described method, the exposure density in the area is corrected. There are mainly two methods of correcting the exposure density, which are performed as follows.
[0045]
One is an adjustment method in which the amount of change in density to be adjusted is input as a numerical value. This adjustment method is to input how much the density is to be added (or subtracted) from each of the currently set densities, and to change the preset value. Therefore, the operator only needs to input the numerical value of the difference to be corrected from the terminal 21. For example, when a numerical value of +10 [%] is input, as shown in FIG. 10A, the current 10% density becomes 20% density and the current 40% density becomes 50% according to the thick line set by the input. , The entire density is linearly corrected uniformly, such as the current 70% density being 80% density.
[0046]
The other is a method of adjusting the density using a tone curve. The tone curve is a curve set in advance for performing exposure density correction as indicated by a bold line in FIG. A plurality of tone curves exist in advance (stored in the storage device 41), and the preset value is changed by selecting a tone curve according to the purpose of use. Therefore, the operator only needs to select an appropriate tone curve from the terminal 21. When a tone curve is used, when there are a plurality of different density areas in one page, the current density areas are individually corrected according to the density determined by the tone curve. For example, in FIG. 10B, the current 10% density is corrected to 12% density, the current 40% density is corrected to 58% density, and the current 70% density is corrected to 75% density.
[0047]
Referring again to FIG. 8, when there is an instruction to adjust the exposure adjustment in step S811, a correction table as shown in FIG. 12 is created (step S812). In the correction table, in the case of an instruction by the above-described numerical value input, the numerical value is added to each density (of course, when the density after adding the numerical value exceeds 100%, the density is limited to 100%). Is a table of values. On the other hand, when the above-described tone curve is used, a table including the respective densities calculated from the tone curve is created (not shown). This correction table is referred to at the time of halftone generation at the subsequent stage, and is used for density conversion. Specifically, in FIG. 12, when generating a halftone dot of a pixel having a current density of 10%, referring to the 10% column of “current halftone density” in the correction table, the “halftone density after correction” is referred to. "A density of 20% is obtained and halftone dots are generated based on this.
Note that the specification by the numerical value input and the specification by the tone curve can be performed for each of the Y, M, C, K and spot color versions of the above-described RIP file 202 or page description language data 502. In this case, the correction table Is also created for each edition.
[0048]
After the creation of the correction table, adjustment area information indicating an area for adjusting the exposure adjustment specified in step S811 is created (step S813). The adjustment area information indicates which page or area of the selected file is instructed to adjust the exposure. Then, similarly to the above-mentioned correction table, the addition / subtraction area information is used at the time of halftone dot generation at the subsequent stage, and is used for density conversion. In addition, by storing this adjustable area information in the storage device 41, it can be used for future reprinting.
[0049]
After the adjustment area information is created, or when the adjustment of the exposure adjustment is not performed, the combination information necessary to construct the final raster image is created (step S814). This arrangement information includes the contents of the instruction of the arrangement editing and the register addition and subtraction in steps S806 and S809. Further, by storing the garnishing information in the storage device 41, it is possible to utilize the garnishing information at the time of reprinting in the future. Then, after creating the attachment information, the digital printing machine 1 refers to the attachment information and configures the data of the raster image as one printing sheet instead of each page (step S815).
[0050]
It should be noted that in the case of the printing process using the page description language file 501, the RIP calculation process is performed only at the step S815. In this case, since means for performing the RIP operation are separately required for both the plate making process and the plate / printing process, the page description language file 501 after the processing in step S814 is sent back to the plate making process, and the plate making process is performed. A method may be adopted in which the RIP calculation means provided performs the RIP calculation process and returns to the printing plate / printing process again after the process.
[0051]
Referring to FIG. 8 again, next, the raster image data constructed in step S815 is rasterized to generate a halftone dot (step S816). The generation of the halftone dots in step S816 is performed by a process as shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a process performed in generating a halftone dot.
[0052]
Referring to FIG. 13, the adjustment area information of the part to be rasterized is confirmed (step S1301). Then, it is determined whether or not the burning is specified (that is, the adjustment of the exposure is adjusted) (step S1302). If the result of this determination is that addition and subtraction burning has been specified, the halftone density is determined with reference to the correction table (step S1303). On the other hand, if the addition and subtraction grilling is not specified, the current halftone density is determined without correction (step S1304). Then, the above processing is repeated until rasterization is completed (step S1305). Although not shown, at the time of generating the halftone dots, a printing press that performs printing is calibrated, and adjustment of the dot gain is also performed according to the printing press.
[0053]
Referring to FIG. 8 again, a printing plate is created based on the generated halftone dots (step S817). Then, printing is performed using this printing plate (step S818). Here, as the final stage, the printing condition of the printed matter is checked (step S819). If there is no problem in the printing condition, printing is continued as it is (step S820). After re-adjustment of the register adjustment and the exposure adjustment described above, the raster image is reconstructed to create a printing plate again (steps S808 to S815).
[0054]
As described above, the digital intaglio machine 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention adjusts the analog register adjustment and exposure adjustment manually using a conventional film from the RIP file 202 and the arrangement information 203. This is performed digitally by selectively using the post-computation file 201 or the page description language file 501 composed of the page description language data 502 and the arrangement information 503.
Therefore, the digital printing machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention can adjust the register adjustment and the exposure adjustment without relying on the skill and experience of the operator to perform relative change processing of digital data (numeric input). Or instructions) can be performed reliably and quickly. As a result, it is possible to save labor in the printing plate / printing process and to improve the printing accuracy.
[0055]
The digital printing machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes the selection unit 17 so that the post-computation file 201 and the page description language file 501 can be selectively used. A digital duplicating machine that does not include the selection unit 17 and exclusively uses one of the two files may be used.
[0056]
Also, typically, each function of the digital printing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a storage device (ROM, RAM, hard disk, etc.) in which predetermined program data is stored, and which executes the program data. And a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (see FIG. 14). In this case, each program data may be introduced via a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a floppy disk, or may be introduced by communication.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a processing system using a digital printing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of a post-computation file 201 of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of a RIP file 202 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of arrangement information 203 in FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of a page description language file 501 of FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of page description language data 502 in FIG.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital printing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flow in a printing plate / printing process including the digital printing machine 1 of FIG.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of adjustment of register adjustment and exposure adjustment.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a linear straight line and a tone curve used for calculating a correction value of exposure adjustment.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of vector data of a component for which adjustment of partial exposure is adjusted.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a correction table.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a process performed in step S816 in FIG. 8;
FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a practical configuration of a processing system using the digital printing machine 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing one configuration of a conventional processing system using a film.
[Explanation of symbols]
1. Digital breeding machine
11: Compression / decompression unit
12 ... imposition part
13 ... Large part
14 Accessory processing unit
15 ... Control section
16. Halftone dot generator
17 ... Selection section
21 ... Terminal
31 ... Printing machine
41 ... Storage device
201 ... file after calculation
202 ... RIP file
203, 503 ... arrangement information
501: Page description language file
502: Page description language data
900 printing paper
901: Finished origin (coordinates)
910, 910a, 910b, 920, 920a ... page data
911, 911a, 921 ... Page origin (coordinates)
912: diagonal point (coordinate)

Claims (4)

A digital duplicating machine that digitally performs an engraving process in a printing plate / printing process using a post-computation file or a page description language file passed from a prepress process,
The post-computation file is
A RIP file created by performing RIP processing on page data created corresponding to each of one or more predetermined pages, and having at least halftone dot density data corresponding to each pixel in the page;
For all or a part of the RIP file, including placement information having at least page origin data serving as a placement reference of each data in the RIP file;
The page description language file is
Page description language data created by a page description language corresponding to each of one or more predetermined pages, and having at least halftone dot density data corresponding to each pixel in the page;
All or part of the page description language data, including placement information having at least page origin data serving as a placement reference of each data in the page description language data,
A selection unit that inputs both the post-calculation file and the page description language file and selects and outputs one of the two files,
By determining the layout of the page origin of the layout information in the file selected by the selection unit relative to the position of the origin serving as a reference for the finished frame, the RIP file or the page description language data is determined. Means for adjusting the amount of registration in units;
Means for adjusting exposure adjustment in units of the RIP file or the page description language data by converting the density of each halftone dot of the RIP file or the page description language data using a correction table. Breeding machine. The page description language data further includes vector data representing a component configured in the page description language data,
When the page description language file is selected in the selection unit, the means for adjusting the exposure is adjusted when the density of each halftone dot of the page description language data is converted using the correction table. The digital duplicating machine according to claim 1, wherein, by designating an arbitrary component by using ( 1 ), exposure adjustment can be adjusted for each component in the page description language data. A recording medium recording a program executed in a computer device,
RIP calculation processing is performed on page data created corresponding to each of one or more predetermined pages or more, and a RIP file having at least halftone dot density data corresponding to each pixel in the page; A post-computation file including, for all or a part of the RIP file, placement information having at least page origin data serving as a placement reference of each data in the RIP file;
Page description language data that is created in a page description language corresponding to each of one or more predetermined pages and has at least halftone dot density data corresponding to each pixel in the page; A page language description file including at least all or a part of the page description language data and layout information having at least page origin data as a layout reference of each data in the page description language data;
Inputting both the post-computation file and the page description language file, and selecting one of the two files;
By determining the layout of the page origin of the layout information in the selected file relative to the position of the origin serving as the reference of the finished frame, the registration in the RIP file or the page description language data unit is performed. Adjusting the adjustment;
By converting the density of each halftone dot of the RIP file or the page description language data using the correction table, the RIP file or the page description language data is converted. A program for realizing, on the computer device, an operating environment including a step of adjusting exposure adjustment in units. The page description language data further includes vector data representing a component configured in the page description language data,
In the case where the page description language file is selected in the selecting step, the step of adjusting the exposure is performed, when the density of each halftone dot of the page description language data is converted using the correction table, 4. The recording medium according to claim 3, wherein by specifying an arbitrary part using the data, it is possible to adjust exposure adjustment for each part in the page description language data.

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